The veteran's claim for an increased rating and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected back disorder was denied. The RO found that the veteran's symptoms, while causing significant pain, did not meet criteria warranting higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed severe intervertebral disc syndrome but no more than severe intervertebral disc syndrome, which does not meet the criteria for a 60% rating (pronounced with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy).
- Claimed conditions
- Healed compression fracture of the body of L4 and left transverse process of L4
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 16, 2001
- Citation
- 0107913
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0107913.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected low back disorder. The RO had previously assigned a 40 percent disability rating for this condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected low back disorder. The RO had previously assigned a 40 percent disability rating for this condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.